How to vote in the 2023 Chicago election
How to vote in the 2023 Chicago election
Late January is the start of voting for the Feb. 28 Chicago municipal elections for early, in-person voting and for those who’ve requested mail-in ballots. Here’s your guide to voting in Chicago for mayor, alderman and other city offices.
By Hannah Schmid
Record number of Illinois voters cast ballot by mail in 2022 midterms
Record number of Illinois voters cast ballot by mail in 2022 midterms
Illinois’ 2022 general election saw the second-highest voter turnout in a midterm year of the past quarter century, with more than half of registered residents casting a ballot. Vote by mail participation increased 67% over 2018.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois
2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois
Over 742,000 Illinoisans voted by mail in November, 67% more than the previous midterm. While many Northern Illinois counties saw record voter participation, Cook County reported its lowest turnout in 25 years.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Will Pritzker’s 2nd term bring more tax hikes, emergency orders?
Will Pritzker’s 2nd term bring more tax hikes, emergency orders?
Illinois has reached the four-year mark with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. What do the past four years tell Illinoisans about what to expect in his second term?
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois House sneaks through $12,000 pay raises for themselves
Illinois House sneaks through $12,000 pay raises for themselves
A late Friday-night move would add nearly $12,000 to the salary of each state lawmaker, raise salaries for statewide elected leaders such as the governor, and boost salaries for agency directors and their subordinates. Plus, they get cost-of-living increases.
By Brad Weisenstein
Chicago Teachers Union contributions to Illinois General Assembly members
Chicago Teachers Union contributions to Illinois General Assembly members
Don’t know your local lawmaker? Use our lawmaker lookup tool to find out.
By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko
Feds targeted these Illinois politicians for corruption in 2022
Feds targeted these Illinois politicians for corruption in 2022
Illinois saw more than its fair share of corruption and misconduct again in 2022, but some politicians stood out in a crowded field.
By Dylan Sharkey
Leaving 8th graders ‘Home Alone’ could land Illinois parents in jail
Leaving 8th graders ‘Home Alone’ could land Illinois parents in jail
Unlike parents in the Chicagoland Christmas classic, Illinoisans could end up under investigation, arrested or even lose custody for leaving their eighth graders unsupervised this holiday. Parents in 30 other states get to decide for themselves.
By Patrick Andriesen
What you need to know about new Illinois laws taking effect in 2023
What you need to know about new Illinois laws taking effect in 2023
New laws signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker are set to impact education, public safety, agriculture and labor
By Perry Zhao
Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022
Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022
Illinois’ Executive Inspector General reported a record number of complaints, some alleging financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest.
By Dylan Sharkey
DCFS held kids in hospitals for months beyond doctors’ orders
DCFS held kids in hospitals for months beyond doctors’ orders
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services held kids in psychiatric hospitals for far longer than needed because the agency couldn’t find them housing.
By Dylan Sharkey
Indicted Chicago alderman too ill to stand trial, OK to cast council votes
Indicted Chicago alderman too ill to stand trial, OK to cast council votes
Chicago’s second-longest serving alderman is seeking a stay of prosecution on federal bribery charges, arguing she is “not medically fit to stand trial.” The plea comes eight days after Ald. Carrie Austin voted on the council floor to approve the city budget.
By Patrick Andriesen
Pritzker spends $323M on 2 campaigns for governor
Pritzker spends $323M on 2 campaigns for governor
Gov. J.B. Pritzker spent $152 million in defeating state Sen. Darren Bailey for re-election, down from the $171 million for his first Illinois gubernatorial campaign.
By Dylan Sharkey
2022 election had most contested Illinois House races in 2 decades
2022 election had most contested Illinois House races in 2 decades
Illinois’ 2022 general election was the most contested non-presidential election in the past two decades, with 79 contested Statehouse races. Illinois Policy’s Full Slate project helped give voters an extra 32 choices on the ballot.
By Patrick Andriesen